VFMF vs. UGA
VFMF (Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF) and UGA (United States Gasoline Fund LP) are both exchange-traded funds - VFMF is a Multi-factor fund actively managed by Vanguard, while UGA is a Oil & Gas fund tracking the Front Month Unleaded Gasoline. VFMF is actively managed, while UGA is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFMF returned 14.43%/yr vs 22.69%/yr for UGA. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VFMF charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for UGA.
Performance
VFMF vs. UGA - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VFMF achieves a 16.88% return, which is significantly lower than UGA's 64.09% return.
VFMF
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 2.80%
- YTD
- 16.88%
- 6M
- 15.26%
- 1Y
- 34.79%
- 3Y*
- 22.47%
- 5Y*
- 14.43%
- 10Y*
- —
UGA
- 1D
- -1.12%
- 1M
- -12.11%
- YTD
- 64.09%
- 6M
- 60.42%
- 1Y
- 59.74%
- 3Y*
- 18.95%
- 5Y*
- 22.69%
- 10Y*
- 14.31%
VFMF vs. UGA - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFMF Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF | 16.88% | 17.38% | 15.60% | 18.52% | -5.70% | 30.05% | 4.99% | 22.34% | -10.89% |
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 64.09% | -2.00% | 3.77% | 1.27% | 46.34% | 68.49% | -24.88% | 41.25% | -24.74% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFMF and UGA is -0.17, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.17 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018 | 0.25 |
The correlation between VFMF and UGA shifts across timeframes, from -0.17 (1 year) to 0.25 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VFMF vs. UGA — Risk / Return Rank
VFMF
UGA
VFMF vs. UGA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF (VFMF) and United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VFMF | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.92 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.53 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.46 | 1.30 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.94 | 3.17 | +1.77 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 18.56 | 9.39 | +9.17 |
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Drawdowns
VFMF vs. UGA - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFMF drawdown since its inception was -41.34%, smaller than the maximum UGA drawdown of -86.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFMF and UGA.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VFMF | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.34% | -86.59% | +45.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.08% | -18.96% | +11.88% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.57% | -26.68% | +6.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.57% | -38.11% | +17.54% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -75.89% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.78% | -18.05% | +17.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.71% | -36.69% | +30.98% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.88% | 6.43% | -4.55% |
Volatility
VFMF vs. UGA - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF (VFMF) is 3.56%, while United States Gasoline Fund LP (UGA) has a volatility of 9.24%. This indicates that VFMF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than UGA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VFMF | UGA | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.56% | 9.24% | -5.68% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.31% | 30.57% | -21.26% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.25% | 35.22% | -21.97% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.06% | 34.45% | -16.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.11% | 37.22% | -16.11% |
VFMF vs. UGA - Expense Ratio Comparison
VFMF has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than UGA's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
VFMF vs. UGA - Dividend Comparison
VFMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, while UGA has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UGA United States Gasoline Fund LP | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VFMF Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF | 1.00% | 1.54% | 1.60% | 1.78% | 2.21% | 1.39% | 1.56% | 1.61% | 1.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VFMF and UGA have a correlation of -0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
UGA has higher volatility (9.24%) compared to VFMF (3.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFMF dropped -41.34% vs UGA's -86.59%.
On 5-year performance, UGA leads with 22.69% vs 14.43% for VFMF. On fees, VFMF is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, VFMF has been the lower-risk option at 3.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, UGA has performed better with a 22.69% return vs 14.43%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VFMF is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for UGA.
VFMF has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for UGA.
VFMF is categorized as Multi-factor, while UGA is Oil & Gas. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Concierge Technologies. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for VFMF and 0.75% for UGA.
VFMF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.73), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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